Home Paul Skenes Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes removed early in season-opening loss to New York Mets

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27-03-2026

Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes removed early in season-opening loss to New York Mets

Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Paul Skenes was pulled after two-thirds of an inning during the team's 2026 Major League Baseball season opener against the New York Mets at Citi Field in Queens, New York, on March 26, 2026.

The Mets scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning, with two defensive misplays in center field by Pirates outfielder O'Neil Cruz contributing to the damage. Skenes allowed four hits and two walks while throwing 37 pitches before Pirates manager Don Kelly removed him from the mound.

The inning began with Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor drawing a walk, followed by a single from outfielder Juan Soto, who recently signed a 15-year, $765 million contract with the Mets ahead of the 2025 season.^[1] Designated hitter Bo Bichette hit a sacrifice fly to score the first run.

Jorge Polanco reached on a swinging bunt single, and outfielder Luis Robert Jr. walked to load the bases with two outs. Third baseman Brett Baty then hit a ball to center field that Cruz misplayed, allowing three runs to score and making the score 5-2. Shortstop Marcus Semien followed with a pop-up that Cruz lost in the sun, enabling another run.

Skenes hit catcher Francisco Alvarez to conclude his outing. Kelly attributed the early exit to pitch count management, noting Skenes' recent heavy workload in the World Baseball Classic, held from March 6 to 18, 2026.^[2]

Skenes, a 23-year-old right-hander from the United States, was the first overall pick by the Pirates in the 2023 MLB Draft out of Louisiana State University. In his 2024 rookie season, he recorded a 1.96 ERA over 133 innings in 23 appearances (11 starts), earning All-Star honors and the National League Rookie of the Year award.^[3]

Citi Field has been the Mets' home ballpark since 2009.^[4]